Practical Cycle Awareness Training

A one-day course, devised and delivered by Cycling Scotland, which aims to raise awareness among fleet drivers of people cycling by asking them to get on their bikes to gain a greater understanding of how those on bikes, and other vulnerable road users, behave on the road.

Cycling Scotland and 11 local authorities, funded by Transport Scotland, are working together to educate drivers on vulnerable road users. Practical Cycle Awareness Training (PCAT) will allow drivers of large vehicles to step into the shoes of more vulnerable road users, including those on bikes, on foot and those with disabilities and provide them with a greater understanding of their needs.

Cycling Scotland developed the theory and practical element of the training and has secured £60,000 from Transport Scotland Road Safety Funding to deliver the PCAT initiative.

Council employees will spent time in the classroom followed by a practical cycle training session to familiarise themselves with those travelling by bicycle, foot, motorcycle and scooter. By learning basic on-road cycling skills, carrying out bicycle safety checks and negotiating road junctions and traffic, fleet drivers gained a better appreciation of the safety considerations from various road users’ perspectives.

William Wright, Development Officer at Cycling Scotland said: “Over a thousand fleet drivers will undertake practical training, swapping the driver seat for a saddle. This enables people who drive the largest vehicles on our roads to see things from a very different point of view.

“We are working with Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and representatives of road haulage and bus industries to expand this training and are keen to work with fleet operators across Scotland to provide training and increase safety and mutual understanding amongst all road users. This project, delivered through local authorities and coordinated by Cycling Scotland, highlights efforts being made in partnership to make cycling easy and safe for anyone anywhere in Scotland.”

Councillor Eddie Devine, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment Policy Board, said: “All road users should be safe on the road and cyclists are no exception. By getting into the saddle our drivers have experienced first hand what it is like to be a cyclist on the roads today.

“Large vehicles can be especially intimidating for cyclists and other vulnerable road users. It is important that all drivers give cyclists that bit more space, especially at junctions, so that everyone is safe on the roads.”

Cycling Scotland is keen to hear from anyone who drives or manages large vehicles.

Cycling Scotland is proud to present the practical element of Practical Cycle Awareness Training – Essential Cycling Skills- a suite of training videos, short practical courses and an app to help boost the confidence of those new to or returning to cycling and give them the necessary skills to negotiate on-road journeys.

ESSENTIAL CYCLING SKILLS APP

If it’s been a while since you’ve been in the saddle or you’re more used to weekend cycles in the countryside that negotiating rush hour commuter traffic, Cycling Scotland’s new Essential Cycling Skills app may just come in handy.

Download it now from iTunes or Google Play (for free, of course) and you’ll wonder why you ever got that bus to work…

ESSENTIAL CYCLING SKILLS TRAINING VIDEOS

Cycling Scotland has produced these short, accessible Essential Cycling Skills videos to help boost the confidence of those new and returning to cycling and give them the necessary skills to negotiate on-road journeys.

Lothian Buses have produced this helpful video which looks at Buses and Cyclists in Edinburgh.